Lagos shuts down unregistered Orphanage following viral video

The Lagos State Government has closed down the unregistered “His Grace Children Home and Hostel Orphanage” in response to a viral video. 

The Ministry of Youth and Social Development, on Tuesday, called out the orphanage, operating in Isolo local government and housing seven wards, as illegal.  During the closure, officials from the ministry found four adults and three children.

In a statement later posted on the Lagos state official website, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende reportedly said that “No unregistered orphanage will be allowed to operate in Lagos State without the necessary official permit. The State Government will not fold its hands and watch contravention of the laid down rules and regulations meant to ensure an acceptable standard of operation”.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Pharm (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, also issued a warning that, “Every home operator in the state must abide by the rules.” 

“Times without number we have had stakeholders’ meetings with the registered home operators in a bid to ensure that we are on the same page of doing what is acceptable. It is unfortunate that a thing like this can still occur. All those who have decided to go the way of illegality had better desist forthwith because we will come after them,” she said.

The Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development is responsible for authorizing and monitoring the operations of orphanages in the State to ensure that they provide adequate care and protection for children.